Hip-Hop Is Dead finds Nas flirting with greatness, and if not capturing it, more impressively, embodying it. This is as precise as greatness renders itself over the span of 12 or so tracks.

1.) "QB True G" (feat. The Game) - A finely tuned, high screeching violin serves as the backdrop while both Game and Nas alternate delivering methodically militant lines. The chorus witnesses a sort of Compton-Queensbridge alliance: "You a Compton, Compton OG, I'm a QB, QB, true G." For once Game's excessive and fanatical Illmatic references find reason and fit. Game says something about buying Illmatic instead of Doggystyle and all that sappy stuff he says on The Documentary. It's a great collaboration and even greater example of the partnership between an apprentice and master; student and teacher.

2.)"Won't Go Back feat" - Nas gets introspective on this, with help from a drowning piano riff. Think of what Nas' rendition of Jay-Z's "Lost One" would sound like, well this is it. It also features a mysterious verse, some speculate Quan, I thought Young Jeezy. To cap off, there is a teary, soulful chorus that says something about "already going this way" but not liking "this way". The chorus completes this track.

3.) "You Mean the World To Me" - A big record that splashes in the playground puddles of 1994. This has a vintage, old-school feel that will have you thinking of "The World Is Yours". This track serves as an ode to Nas' favorite woman.

4.) "Play on Playa" (feat Snoop Dogg) - For purposes of categorization, I guess this would be the club record. It has all the attributes: produced by Scott Storch, features Snoop Dogg, and after all is called "Play on Playa." Still, this record manages not to be a club record. It's sleek and smooth with a solid verse from Snoop. Nas says something like "swallow my protein like an Ovaltine (?) shake".

5.)"Where Are They Now" - This was the turning point of the session. A radically schizophrenic beat that sounds at first like a violent harmonica, but what later reveals to be sharp electric guitar screeches. It sounds like a car revving up its engine. Nas declares that there will be "no gangbanging in NY, tonight" and uses this track to reflect on forgotten comrades.

6.)"Carry on Tradition" Nas keeps it diplomatic on this track behind light snaps and focused organs. Nas seems to care less about who's listening, if anyone; he does one of those looking-in-the-mirror rhymes that will scare you as much as it will impress. The track finds Nas searching within, telling us of his vision of Hip Hop, "Let me crown you// when you rise up// take your position // carry on tradition." This doubles as the chorus.

7.)"Black Republican" Normally, according to the tracklist, the title track should have followed, but something completely iconic occurred a spaceship landed in the room, if you will. "Black Republicans" began to play. About 5 seconds in, the soundman cut the music, which prompted a heavy rain of jeers; the soundman gave it another try, only to stop again. The third time was just torture as the track stopped as quickly as it began. From what I heard, it sounded like something cataclysmic that was disrupting the order of space. A rolling ball of fire that when it reached its climax even had Jay assessing the situation: "I know you can feel the magic". Other than that, Hip Hop is dead (the single, that is) became a moot point.

8.)"Blunt Ashes" (note: on the tracklist this is incorrectly labeled as "Still Dreamin'")- This track did its best to put an even more downcast vibe. The track wasn't bad, just the timing was. It's a misty, airy beat provided by Chris Webber (yes, the basketball player). Nas gets very somber on the chorus almost musing to himself: I could see my whole life past me // Did I keep it gangsta or classy." Nas does this thing where each word is assigned one syllable. Well, at least it sounded like that.

9.)"Still Dreamin'" (feat Kanye West) While, this track features Kanye both on the mike and behind the boards, many people told me Kanye also, is behind another track on Hip-Hop Is Dead. Your guess is as good as mine. Naturally, this is a sample-heavy track. Kanye tells us "n***as so cold, you gotta bring the mink out". Nas and Kanye share the chorus, "Some dreams stay dreams, some dreams come true".

10.)"Let There Be Light" - Before the drums and cymbals take over, this track begins with the naked "We Will Rock You" rhythm and erupts into this freak of nature. Another old-school vintage sound that sounds more 50-ish than anything with the R&B crooning.

11.) "Can't Forget About You" (feat Chrisette Michelle) - This is an absolute final gem. It was for good reason that the Def Jam official instructed us to "pay attention" to this track. It's a whirlwind classic that swoops from yesteryear with Nas, not spitting fire, but delivering cold ice, "I go by N, just one syllable." This might be the one track to convince you that hip-hop is not dead.